Preliminary communication

Political Parties with a Christian Symbol in Croatia: Opportunities and Requirements?

Josip Grbac ; Theology in Rijeka, Dislocated Studies of Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

This topic is worth approaching keeping in mind the historical experience of other European countries. In many European countries in the 19th and 20th century »Catholic« or »Christian« parties were founded and were active however the difference between them in denomination and their notion of political action but also in their relationship to the hierarchy in the Catholic Church were quite varied and depended on a number of factors, primarily concrete historical circumstances. Apart from that, the development and strength of these political parties were often dependent on what the attitude of the Church hierarchy was to their actions. Talk of »Christian democratic parties« from an historical or current attitude touch on political, theological and ecclesiastical questions. It is worth learning from these examples when we refer to this matter in Croatia.
Keeping in mind the possibility of founding a party and its actions carrying a Christian symbol on the current political scene, it is worth keeping in mind several factors. These parties call on Christ's words in support of their credibility and need to place stricter measures than other parties have. Apart from that they need to clearly define values of Christian provenance that define the identity of citizens above ali values concerning the dignity of man in keeping with Christian anthropology. This leads to their social programmes. These parties need to have a Christian view of man and to promote it today in three segments: in the discussion of bioethics and genetic research; in the economy and social policies; in education policies.
Difficulties in founding parties like this and their activities in Croatia today are manifold. The basis of their foundation and efficient actions is true democracv that will objectively value Christian values and not label them as a form of religious proselitism. Shaping public opinion that will take concern of a party's activities not only depends on the success of their policies to come into power but will also allow for recognition of the party's work outside the narrower sense of politics such as actions to plan andprotect man, family social problems. This seems difficult to achieve considering the general »politicking« of society. Parties with a political symbol must face compromise which requires a quality moral education of Christian politicians. Finally, these parties must give witness to the possibilities of cooperating on the political field which can most clearly be realised in uniting all similar parties into one whole. These are just some of the preconditions to enable these parties to remain active. We are gaining the opinion that it may be too late on the Croatian scene to realise these objectives.

Keywords

politics; Christian democracy; Christian democratic parties; Christian anthropology; moral and ethic relativism; bioethics; education and upbringing

Hrčak ID:

23218

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/23218

Publication date:

29.11.2007.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 3.044 *